06/27/09:
George Swamson's e-mail notes that his deceased wife Katrina
"sure will be pleased. She'll have a booth at the General
Convention of the Episcopal Church in Anaheim this July 8-17.
The booth will support . . .
~ the Equal Rights Amendment
~ Anglican Women Theologians
~ Indigenous Peoples Rights
~ African children's education
~ Abolishing Torture in American Prisons.
Our convention resolution asks the US Congress to outlaw torture
in American jails and prisons. "
06/26/09:
Frank Duehay and Jane Lewis spent Memorial Day and night
visiting Harriett and Ross Clem at their home in Paris,
Ohio. Frank said he and Ross, close friends in college, had hardly
had time to talk in 54 years. 'It was one of the most pleasant
visits we have ever had,' Frank said."
Jerry Murphy writes, "About to release
the 13th edition of 'Metro Volk,' a major study of the North American
Meeting Industry." Jerry has spent over 50 years as a research,
marketing and management consultant.
06/17/09:
George Buehler had lunch with Marcie and John Amory
recently at the
Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg AZ.
The Cambridge Art Association is displaying one of Malcolm
Davis's "Sierra Nevada RR, Series" at 124 Mt.Auburn
St., Cambridge, MA through the 26th of June. Classmates interested
in an explanation of the series can go to "By Paths"
on our website, to view his website or go directly to www.malcolmmontaguedavis.com.
Malcolm is also working concurrently on a series based on the
Gallery House in Santa Fe and one on "Class One Locomotives."
05/31/09:
Charles Butter (cbutter@umich.edu)
writes: "Our children and grandchildren scattered (almost)
to two ends of the earth - San Francisco and Israel. Still fly
fishing, but not as often as I'd like. Hoping to have my book
on art and the brain - Crossing Cultural Borders Universals in
Art and Their Biological Roots - published before the end of the
year. Hope to get to Boston this September in time to see a Red
Sox game."
05/22/09:
Harvey Tattelbaum recently published a book entitled: "Tales
of the Village Rabbi: A Manhattan Chronicle". It is available
only on Amazon.com. (The "Village" is Greenwich Village!)
03/24/09:
Frank Duehay reports on the David Halberstam Street
petition to the Cambridge City Council that "Last week
the Report of the Council Committee was filed. It was simply a
report of who said what at the December 9 hearing. The matter
remains in Committee. Nevertheless since the Committee report
was on the public agenda for the March 23 Council meeting, I took
the occasion to speak (3 minute limit). I repeated the reason
for the request and dealt with the opposing arguments that had
been made There was only one other person who spoke on the issue,
a former city councillor who has been hired by the Crimson to
represent it, speaking against the proposal. Don't despair. It
will eventually be settled. "
03/13/09:
Rob Leeson reports beautiful weather and good skiing in
Taos, NM. "The Chatfields have been here, and we have
enjoyed visiting with Charlie Anderson."
Rob called to note the death of Addie Closson on
March 12th.
Audry Lynch contributed
a chapter to a new book entitled "Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln:
a Commemorative Collage."
It is the first book to be printed by Penwomen Press, recently
founded by the National League of American Penwomen. Audry's chapter
is a review of the book "Women in Lincoln's Life," by
H.Donald Winkler. The Penwoman book costs $28 and is available
at 1300 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.
03/03/09:
"Classmates Michael Greenebaum and Wally Bregman
have collaborated with five other New Trier High School school
friends (three of them Yale '55) to write a book about their lives.
As it says in the press release: "
Seven Friends Sixty years Later treats the reader
to the stories of seven high school friends as they share their
lives, their dreams, their accomplishments (or lack thereof) and
the lessons that theyve learned along the way. Aside from
the captivating and varied content of the individual stories,
this book offers an amazing window into coming of age and growing
up in the latter half of the twentieth century.
At a fifty-fifth high school reunion, seven life long friends,
known in school as the Beefeaters (no one can remember
why) decided to memorialize their lives by each writing a chapter
for a book. Now, three years later, the resulting work Seven
Friends Sixty years Later is available to the public.
Our book is available via our website http://authorhouse.com/beefeaters
or by calling 1-888-519-5121 or amazon.com, etc.
02/02/09:
Howard McElroy writes: "This past fall, a 5,800 mile
road trip took us to Austin, Texas where we swapped sea stories
with Ted Whatley." Howie notes that he is a "Retired
Senior Factotum."
01/05/09:
Fred Church has moved to South Carolina
to a community called Oldfield, (between Beaufort and Hilton Head)
where he is enjoying the social life as well as quail hunting,
sporting clays, fishing (sail fishing at Islamorada, Key West,
Florida), golf, horseback riding, the beach in Hilton Head, and
working out at Oldfields sports center.
I have a small apartment in Chestnut Hill which I visit
periodically for business and to see my kids and grandkids. Believe
it or not, I still work at age 75 at Albert Risk Management. I
have a small book of business including schools and serve as a
consultant to the board of a small insurance company. I also did
work in 2008 for the American School of Warsaw, Poland, NYU, St.
Johns University and others.
Georgiana Lewis Anderson
writes: "I have returned from 18 days in Iran, a tour with
14 others from GB, Japan, Korea, Italy, France. Most Americans
don't go there because they think it impossible. Young people
in Iran all speak English, the older ones seldom do. We met the
younger ones, and mostly girls, because 60% of college students
are women. Young men have to do their 2 years of military duty
and go to college afterwards.
"I understand the anxiety about Iran's threats against Israel,
but I feel strongly, and not just because of this trip, that if
we had a President who had bothered to have diplomatic relations
with those with whom he disagreed, we'd all be better off and
in a very different place financially, geopolitically and from
a safety point of view.
"Everyone that we spoke to hoped that Obama
would win the election. They hope to see a change of tone, as
don't we all. The sanctions are hurting and oil prices are down.
We didn't see obvious signs of this, but in many cities we saw
construction halted, so a lot of the country looks as if it had
been bombed. Our guide said this was because people took out loans,
projects ran out of money, and new loans had not yet been approved.
"Our hotels were those approved for Westerners,
so they were comfortable and well run. Food was ample and we had
many chances to try Persian fare. We wore head scarves everywhere
but in our hotel rooms. Dress is less restrictive than we had
been led to believe, and the young Iranian women are certainly
pushing the envelope. Older women seemed far more comfortable
with their black chadors. A few of them welcomed us, smiling when
they learned where we were from, reaching out to shake hands or
just touching us.
"We went to many places, 7 cities, saw a lot
of desert and ate some incredible pastries and delectable black
dates. We didn't get a line on nuclear activity, though we passed
close to Natanz. There are places I didn't see enough of (Persepolis,
Isfahan) but I don't suppose I'll ever get back...."
Elinor Fuchs' documentary
play, "Year One of the Empire," about the little-known
turn-of-the-century U.S.-Philippine War, written in the late '60's
as a Vietnam War protest play and published by Houghton Mifflin
in 1972, has in the past year been brought back to life by the
Iraq War. The play, co-authored with historian Joyce Antler of
Brandeis, received its New York premiere at the Metropolitan Playhouse
in March, 2009, and received a special pre-election reading at
the New York Theatre Workshop in September.
Regina Gittes Greenspun
notes that twenty-four Radcliffe classmates met on Cape Cod during
a beautiful September weekend. As in the past, the Craigville
Conference Center served as the venue for this mini-reunion. The
highlight of the weekend was a visit to Patricia Worthington Bartlett's
home in Truro, a home which was twice painted by artist Edward
Hopper in the 1930's. The house, located on the bank of the Pamet
River, remains essentially as it was in Hopper's time.
" I have temporarily left Washington D.C.
and accepted a new job directing the arts at Wayne State University
in Detroit. I am chairing the Department of Art and Art History,
which includes the fine arts, studio arts, art history, interior
design, industrial design, electronic arts, sculpture, photography,
fibres, graphic arts, and print-making. It's a very large department
with a faculty of 60, located in four buildings. Although it takes
precious time from my research, I am beginning work on a new book
which will be about the origins of wine in antiquity. I would
love to see any Harvard-Radcliffe friends in the Detroit area."
Christiane L. Joost-Gaugier
12/21/08:
Bill Beecher writes: "I recently retired, again, and
then unretired, again. I joined the faculty of the University
of Maryland as a professor to teach a seminar to senior students
on writng commentaries and editorials. I want to give something
back to the next generation after a rewarding career..
" My third novel, The Acorn Dossier, is to be published this
Spring. It's a spy thriller involving deep cover agents, a rogue
Russian general, and nuclear suitcase bombs. The FBI and Russian
security race to find and stop the general and his team of ex-special
forces commandos from carrying out their threats in the US."
John Harper writes
from London, "Obama's election in general has captured the
imagination of the world, especially those of us Americans living
abroad."
We are grateful to the "usual suspects"
who braved the cold at the Stadium to bring Harvard out on top
of Yale once again in November's Game.
"Best regards, and Happy New Year to all!"
12/15/08:
Ross Shepherd writes that he is still dabbling in Theatre.
Recently he completed runs in "Social Security" and
"See How They Run," and trouping with "Reunion:
The Second Day,"a one-act play he wrote and directed.
11/02/08:
Nanci Anderson (Mrs.Tim) reports that the
4th Timmy Award presentation happened on the evening of October
27th at the Langham Hotel (formerly the Meridian) downtown.
"More and more architectural firms are participating each
year for an award honoring J.T. (J. Timothy Anderson).
All of this through the National Historic Preservation in D.C.
Nanci was there and her son Joshua was one of the many judges.
"It's going mighty strong" Nanci will co-chair the Widows'
Committee with Donna Tillotson (Mrs. Ted) for the 55th Reunion
in the fall of 2010.
Nick Baker has just
completed research on his book "John Prentiss Benson, American
Marine Artist," which will be published on February 1, 2009.
Benson's older Brother Frank Benson is a better known Salem, MA
artist, but John's artwork sold readily from 1925 until he died
in 1947 at the age of 82, having created more than 750 canvases.
The search continues for many of them which are still unallocated.
Classmates interested purchasing a copy should contact Nick c/o
John Benson Book, P.O.Box 171, Pocasset, MA 02559-0171.
John Bennett continues
part time at Strong Hospital (University of Rochester), serving
as a Hematomorphologist Editor of Leukemia Research and Chair
of the MDS (preleukemia) Foundation. He is also on the Board of
Directors for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tom Bisbee continues to report that "All
is well in Vermont."
Nan Bourne is now
living in Woodstock, VT where she went to school. She is helping
to run the Adult Education program and giving talks on the Goddess
religions. She is also on the Library Board and has seven grandchildren."
I miss the Cape and our trips up to those delightful '55 (Radcliffe)
lunches."
Martin Cassidy is still studying CO2 in
the subsurface as a research scientist at the University of Houston.
"It is great fun and very topical."
George Cohen is entering his 50th year
teaching Art History, 40 at Hofstra University. "Son Louis
is a Urologist at the Norwood (MA) Hospital and son Ronn a chef
at TGIF."
"I am overjoyed to report my continuing employment
in the financial services industry during these interesting times,"
writes Harry Manoogian. "I returned recently from
a vacation which included Yellowstone National Park where I ran
into fewer bears than I see in my office every day."
Ray McKnight and
his wife Marge divide their time between Fresno and the San Francisco
Bay area, having progeny in both places.
Eileen Murphy Murray and Jack Hardiman
are still young enough to play tennis singles together weekly.
"But don't ask who wins!"
"Still happily living in our small park.
My wife and I enjoy frequent travels, our rural life, a new puppy,
Tanglewood, cartography and volunteer activities. Life is good
for us." Andre Navez
Alan Rapperport continues practicing plastic
surgery and swimming competitively. "Got two second places,
three thirds and a fourth at the National Long Course Championships
in Portland, Oregon. Roger Machanic sent me an article
from the Washington Post about two 85 year old competitive swimmers--I
have a long way to go!"
Ed Stockwell has
spent part of his retirement working in the area of lexicography
where he recently published a "Nu Collitch Dickshunary."
"Anyone interested in a free preview of this silly book,
which is available at Amazon and Barnes & Nobel, can find
one at http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail~bookid~48306.aspx.
It was fun to put together and kept me out of trouble for several
months."
Ted Whatley writes:
"We are enmeshed in the election, supportive of Obama. My
grandson has gone over to the Greens, and I may be right behind
him. We eagerly anticipated a visit from Howie McElroy
and Sue in mid-October, two beat-up ex Marines, rotten to the
core. This year I was elected to the University of Texas at Austin
Visiting Committees for History and for the University Libraries.
It's payback time for the UT History department; I audited there
for almost a decade. Second to family, my passion is for raising
money for Breakthrough Austin which is the most comprehensive
college prep program for at risk kids. All of our kids will be
the first in their families to attend college. We support, badger,
and focus these students for six years (grades 7-12) and keep
them on track. We graduated our first class last May and they're
in college at this moment.
"Melba and I will visit Croatia in early October and then
we're taking some of our grandchildren to Egypt in March. And
I'm having my second knee replacement procedure in October. Phew...
I need a break."
10/08/08:
Larry Fishman, (M.D. '60), has had the unusual experience
of being the subject of four separate retirement celebrations
over the past five years. While various arcane reasons have been
suggested for this seemingly irrational exuberance, the most plausible
of these may be that his family, friends and colleagues enjoy
partying with him and his wife Suzanne. The Final Fishman Fiesta
took place in May of this year, his 41st as a member of the faculty
of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (the UM Medical
School is named in honor of another '55er, the late Leonard
M. Miller, who died in 2002 and was a generous benefactor
of the School). At the time of his 2008 retirement, Fishman was
one of the most senior members of the University community and
had served at all the usual faculty ranks, culminating in his
current permanent designation as Emeritus Professor of Medicine,
in an apparent effort to forestall future revelry. Over the years
of his teaching, patient care and research activities, Fishman
had served in a panoply of academic and administrative positions
too tedious to recount. At one of the School's principal teaching
hospitals, the Miami VA Medical Center, he served as Associate
Chief of Staff for Research for 28 years, during most of which
he was also Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism there. An Annual
Lawrence M. Fishman Visiting Professorship in Endocrinology
has been established in his honor.
10/04/08:
Frank Duehay and Jane Lewis enjoyed a pleasant dinner recently
here in Cambridge with Bob Blacklow, Winnie and Charlie
and Lois Barth Epstein.
Frank Duehay tore his Achilles tendon recently
and will be in a cast and "house bound" for the next
six to eight weeks. I'll bet he would appreciate a call (617 547-
0271) and/or an arranged visit. He will be unable to attend the
Harvard Princeton football game with Stan Katz.
09/06/08:
Gordon Graham writes, "I received
your Addendum here in Ireland and was especially delighted to
hear of the tributes paid by Peter Hiam's son to our late
classmate Sam Adams.
I did not know Sam at Harvard but know how deeply his ties with
St. Mark's classmates like Peter impacted his later life. I met
Sam when I enlisted him as speaker before the New England chapter
of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, of which I
take some amused pride in being a founding and lifelong member,
based on that very limited role I played in Army CIC when drafted
in 1955, I ran on behalf of AFIO a conference sometime around
1985-86 where we old spooks gathered to dissect what went wrong
in the weapons for hostages deal in Iran around that time. We
had the conference at Stockbridge's Red Lion Inn and Sam arrived
early that Sat morning. We had breakfast together and he told
the strange story as to how he found the mismatch between Westmoreland's
Vietnam body count and the supposed Vietcong and North. Vietnamese
Order of Battle figures he and CIA were going with. He took me
through some good stories about forming personal bond with Westmoreland
when they discovered that they both had sons interested in rock
bands.
After CBS and Sam won the Westmoreland suit, Sam described how
CIA director Richard Helms called him in and asked him to teach
a course in ethics at Langley. Then Sam went into this lovely
schoolboy tale from St. Mark's. Seems that he and Peter Hiam
and a few other lads got the idea of saving up pennies and on
Friday afternoons sneaking into the chemistry lab at St. M's and
dropping pennies into jars of acid and reducing them to size of
dimes. They then all went off on Saturday afternoons to the movies
in Maynard and dropped the pennies into the cinema's coke machine.
The machine then produced a six ounce bottle of coke and a nickel
change and they basically saw the movie free and brought back
a profit.
Sam then put on a stern face and turned to me and said: now, how
could a guy who did such dastardly deeds at St. Mark's teach ethics
at Langley. He turned Helms down.
I guess it must have been only a couple of years later that I
read in the Addendum of Sam's untimely death. I'll be back for
Obama Inauguration in January (I hope) ."
Renny Little has
agreed to serve as secretary of the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization
(HVAO) a Shared Interest Group (SIG) of the Harvard Alumni Association
(HAA). The basic mission of the HVAO is "to recognize, honor,
support and celebrate our combined service, in an affirmative
and apolitical manner." All members of this Harvard Community
- students, alumni, faculty and staff - who have served, or are
serving, in the United States Military are invited to join the
"Long Crimson Line." (http://www.harvardveterans.org)
Dick Marson and Vivian, along with Renny
Little, attended the annual Harvard Crimson vs. White football
scrimmage under the lights on September 5th. "Both the offense
and defense looked sharp at times. We watched some excellent passing
and running from three quarterbacks as well strong defensive plays
and some good kicking." Harvard opens its season against
Holy Cross at 7 PM on Friday, September 19th.
08/04/08:
When the Boston Globe noted recently that Chicago Bears standout
and former Harvard freshman football coach Bob Margarita died,
Wally Bregman wrote:
"One of the reasons I went to Harvard was because my dad
and I had season tickets to the Bears, He was present at a recruiting
lunch when they talked to Bob Richter and me. Did he come back
to our 50th reunion of the Freshman team?"
(Ed. note: Unfortunately, we never contacted him.)
07/24/08:
Addie Closson
reports that he has seen a number of classmates over the summer.
They include David Brodeur, John Chatfield, Bob
Leeson, Renny Little and David Outerbridge.
The Powers Music School in Belmont, MA has announced
the 4th Annual Peter Elvins Vocal Competition. Created
in the memory of long-time Powers voice faculty Peter Elvins,
the competition is open to vocalists ages 15 and older.
Jack Schafer and
Betty continue to lead a peripatetic lifestyle with visits to
New York, Malta, England and India. Last April they drove through
southern Louisiana (zydeco and Alligators) north to Natchez Trace
(Civil War sites and antebellum mansions) to Nashville.
07/09/08:
ATTENTION!!!
Classmates who wish to sit together
at the 125th Harvard -Yale game in Cambridge on November 22, 2008
must submit their requests by August 15th, 2008!!
Note that the date is almost three months earlier this year than
in past years.
06/27/08:
Pete Milano, Secretary of the Princeton Class of 1955, has extended
an invitation to Harvard '55 classmates to join his for cocktails
and dinner after the Harvard--Princeton game in New Jersey on
October 25th. Frank Duehay and Jane Lewis plan to attend
and will provide the time, location, and costs in the fall edition
of the ADDENDUM and on our website. Frank hopes that he will have
some support!
Frank Duehay reports
that Stan Katz has joined the Board of the Princeton '55
Project, which although structured differently, compares with
PBHA in public service by Princeton undergraduates.
06/26/08:
Bob Blacklow joined the Board of the Phillips Brooks House
Association recently.
Malcolm Davis has had one of his paintings
on display in an exhibition at 124 Mt. Auburn Street for the last
month or so.
06/23/08:
At a Harvard Yearbook Alumni Dinner last April, Saul Cohen
recalled the efforts of his deceased roommate Paul Horowitz
who was instrumental in initiating the Yearbook Building Fund
Trust. The Trust led eventually to the purchase of the Yearbook's
present fine quarters at 2 Brattle Square in Cambridge.
06/18/08:
Jessica Garza, our very supportive "left arm" during
the 50th Reunion, was in town from Texas for Commencement, and
the 50th Reunion Class Committee hosted a luncheon for her at
Upstairs on the Square. On hand were 50th Reunion Chairman Charlie
Arena, Vice Chairmen Dick Marson, and Al Moren
and Committee members Nanci Anderson, Renny Little, and
Frank Molloy. Unable to attend but there in spirit were
Malcolm Davis, Al Rossow and Dick Zwetsch.
Bob Blacklow and his wife Winnie (celebrating
her 50th Reunion from Radcliffe), Vaughan Barton, and Rosemary
Bonanno served as Senior Marshals this year at Commencement,
along with Renny Little, Secretary of the "Happy Committee."
(See "Photo Ops.")
Commencement also brought many classmates together
for drinks at Hollis 7. Among those seen in the crowd were Addie
Closson, Maggie Chrisman (Bill Chrisman's widow), Gordon
Graham, Arnold Howe, Peter Malkin, Don McKay,
Jim Pates, Jerry Shocker, Don Tavel, Pete
Watson, Dave Watts, Dick Zwetsch and many others.
Our thanks to Charlie Arena, Frank Nahigian and
Bob Rittenburg for providing the refreshments. Many classmates
went on to the Tree Spread and then processed in to hear J.K.
Rowling give an excellent Commencement speech.
05/30/08:
Bill O'Donnell writes:
"My wife Ellie, who had been a physical therapist, has a
new blog www.saratogaareas.com/ellie
which talks about how you cope with MS from one person's perspective.
Comments are welcomed."
05/29/08:
Doug Hartley reports "We sold our DC apartment on
May 29. Closing will take place on October 7. We feel fortunate
to have been able to sell so quickly despite the unpredictable
housing market. For those who don't have it, our new address is
-11 Cranberry Lane, Cushing ME 04563.
TEL: 207-354-0439. So let's stay in touch!"
05/27/08:
The Cronkhite Center has a family Conference Room named for Meyer
and Raema Hammerman. It is "the gift of Alan H. "Mickey"
Hammerman AB '55, an alumnus unsurpassed in long and loyal
service to the Harvard College Office of Admissions and Financial
Aid." Meyer and Raema were great admirers of Harvard and
proud of their graduate son.
05/16/08:
Arnold Schuchter sent along the following link to an excellent
book review of "Everything They Had, Sports Writing from
David Halberstam."
Selected and with an introduction by Glenn Stout ( NY., Hyperion),
the book brings together for the first time Dave's writings for
newspapers and magazines.
Go to: http://www.latimes.com/features/books/la-bk-davis4-2008may04,0,4217337.story
04/16/08:
Frank Duehay (and additional classmates and friends) have
launched an effort to change the name of Plympton Street in Harvard
Square to Halberstam Street. Pete Palches suggested
the idea. The Cambridge City Council has sent the resolution to
the Council's Government Committee, who will schedule an open
hearing sometime in the future, perhaps as early as within the
next two weeks.
Local classmates who wish to speak to the hearing
are encouraged to do so.
You will be informed of the date and time.
Those who wish to send a letter of support should
send it to the Cambridge City Council in care of City Clerk Margaret
Drury, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge,
MA 02139. The letter should note that it is being sent to be considered
at the time of the council committee hearing.
Stan Katz is spearheading a national effort to support
the effort.
The resolution which Frank has presented to the
Council follows:
Policy Order Resolution
O-11
IN CITY COUNCIL
April 7, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR MAHER
WHEREAS: David Halberstam was a resident of Cambridge while a
student at Harvard College from 1951 to 1955; and
WHEREAS: David Halberstam's extracurricular life at Harvard centered
on The Harvard Crimson, where he served as a news writer, sports
writer, and managing editor; and
WHEREAS: Immediately following his graduation in 1955, David Halberstam
set out for his first job as a reporter for the Daily Times Leader
in West Point, Mississippi, because, as he later told Ray Suarez
on National Public Radio, he wanted to start his career at the
heart of "state-sanctioned injustice, state-sanctioned racism"
in America; and
WHEREAS: David Halberstam did not last in that first job. He wrote
an article about a local political leader who said to a gathering
of Mississippi Democrats, "If any ______ try to come in,
bring them around back and we'll take care of them," and
when his editor suggested that David point out that perhaps the
man was only trying to be helpful, David said he didn't think
that was true. Veritas was important to David; and
WHEREAS: He continued to report on the Civil Rights movement,
first for the Tennessean in Nashville, then for the New York Times.
the work in Nashville later served as the basis in 1998 for The
Children, considered by many his finest book - the story of young
blacks who decided to work against the idea of white-only water
fountains and rest rooms. David considered it a privilege to be
so close to this "luminescent moment" of American democracy;
and
WHEREAS: Having won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from
the field on the Vietnam War in 1974, David Halberstam embarked
on a second career theme - telling truth to power. His most famous
book, The Best and the Brightest, tells how President John F.
Kennedy assembled talented and educated men for his administration,
selecting from America's power elite those who would develop a
failing strategy, leading to a tragic loss of life and humiliating
defeat. He used what Russell Baker calls, "the new journalism,"
employing fictional techniques to make complex matters understandable,
"remaining faithful to the facts without constant explanations
of how the facts were obtained;" and
WHEREAS: Though not a scholar, David Halberstam liked to say that
"As a journalist, I was a good historian, and as a historian,
I was a good journalist." He helped to remake America's perception
of itself. He also loved sports and wrote about Michael Jordan,
Ted Williams, Bill Belichick, and many others - always looking
to find the source of each person's ability to achieve at a high
level. Boston's sportswriters consider him to have been a master
of their craft; and
WHEREAS: In his last book, The Coldest Winter, about the Korean
War, David Halberstam documents how the American military, seemingly
indifferent to any understanding of its enemies, their cultures,
and their methods of warfare, actually doctored intelligence to
mislead America, drawing clear parallels to the current administration
and to its rationale for the Iraq war. David Halberstam was killed
in an automobile accident on April 23, 2007, just as this book
was going to press; and
WHEREAS: While there has from time to time been conflict between
Harvard College as an institution and Cambridge residents, Cambridge
has always taken great pride in the achievements of Harvard students
and alumni; and
WHEREAS: David Halberstam's journalistic accomplishments exemplify
and have contributed to Cambridge citizens' commitment to racial
justice and equity and its opposition to unjust wars; and
WHEREAS: In recognizing David Halberstam, the City of Cambridge
wishes to honor one of this generation's foremost citizens for
his courage and his patriotism and hopes that it will inspire
present and future generations of college students at Harvard
and elsewhere to go where their highest ideals take them, to eye
official pronouncements from powerful sources with appropriate
skepticism, and to tell the truth - VERITAS - in ways that people
can understand; and
WHEREAS: The City Council desires to rename Plympton Street, from
Massachusetts Avenue to Memorial Drive, as Halberstam Street;
now therefore be it
ORDERED:
That the City Council hereby refers this matter to the Government
Operations and Rules Committee to hold a public hearing to which
the property owners, businesses and residents of this portion
of Plympton Street are invited, to ensure sufficient notification
of this proposed change; and be it further
ORDERED:
That the Government Operations and Rules Committee report back
to the City Council on this matter.
02/06/08:
Phyllis Yood Beineke notes "I am still seeing patients
and working on a National Association for Social Workers Commission
that helps social workers in need of assistance. I am now a consultant
and back up for a colleague for a Massachusetts Medical Association
group for physicians in need of assistance.
Other major activities include socializing with classmates and
keeping up with my family." (See All Aboard)
Harry Manoogian writes: "I'm still
around, but my gall bladder isn't!"
02/05/08:
Dr. Allan Rosenfield, Dean of Columbia University's Mailman
School of Public Health, will retire in May, 2008 after 22 years
of service. President Lee Bollinger noted, "Allan Rosenfield
has made Columbia and the Mailman School both a local and global
force in this important field. during his more than 20-year tenure."
Dr. Rosenfield became renowned for his contributions to the fields
of reproductive and maternal and child health and the fight against
infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. He will remain on the
faculty as a professor of public health and obstetrics and gynecology.
12/19/07:
For those who have computers with the Macromedia Flash software
Renny Little recommends viewing the following elves:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1471991511
11/29/07:
Doug Hartley reports in his annual Christmas letter that
last summer he had a "joyful reunion" with his college
roommate Edgar Clark and his brother Peter Clark
in Collioure, France.
08/27/06:
Tom Reardon '68 requests that classmates be informed of the new
website www.harvardveterans.org
(http://www.harvardveterans.org)
This site introduces the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization (HVAO)
which is open to all members of the Harvard University Community
who are veterans of the US Military. This new group is intended
to be non-political, historical, and informative in purpose and,
while independent, it will be recognized by the HAA as a Shared
Interest Group (SIG).
Please visit the site and let Tom know at harvardveterans@comcast.net
of any comments or questions, and pass it along to fellow classmates,
and other Harvard friends, who are veterans.
It occurs to your Class Secretary that probably at least 80% of
our Class of 1955 are veterans.